Method and Apparatus for a Motion State Aware Device

ABSTRACT

A device comprising a motion context logic that receives data from at least one motion sensor is described. The motion context logic determines a user&#39;s motion context. Context based action logic manages the device based on the user&#39;s motion context.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a headset or other user carried device, and more particularly to a motion state aware headset or device.

BACKGROUND

A headset is a headphone combined with a microphone. Headsets provide the equivalent functionality of a telephone handset with hands-free operation. Headsets can be wired or wireless. Wireless headsets generally connect to a phone via a Bluetooth or equivalent network connection.

SUMMARY

A device comprising a motion context logic that receives data from at least one motion sensor is described. The motion context logic determines a user's motion context. Context based action logic manages the device based on the user's motion context.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary headset, a telephone, and their connectivity.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of one embodiment of a dual processor implementation of the device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the context-based system.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of one embodiment of determining motion context.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of one embodiment of utilizing motion context based commands.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of one embodiment of adjusting settings based on motion context.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of one embodiment of how power management is handled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The method and apparatus described is for a motion context aware headset or user carried device. Although the term headset is used in the description, one of skill in the art would understand that the description below also applies to mobile phones, eye glasses, or other user carried devices which may include a motion sensing mechanism, and can be adjusted in their actions and responses based on the user's motion state. The device, in one embodiment, is designed to be coupled to a cellular phone or other telephone. In another embodiment, the device may be a self-contained cellular unit which directly interacts with the cellular network.

The headset includes at least one motion sensor. The headset may also receive data from other sensors. In one embodiment, these sensors may be in the headset, or may be external. For example, sensors may include a global positioning system (GPS) sensor, one or more motion sensors in the phone/handset, a barometric sensor, capacitance (touch) sensor(s), proximity sensors, or other sensors which may provide motion context.

The following detailed description of embodiments of the invention makes reference to the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements, showing by way of illustration specific embodiments of practicing the invention. Description of these embodiments is in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. One skilled in the art understands that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, electrical, functional and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary headset, a telephone, and their connectivity. Headset 110 is coupled to a mobile device 130, in one embodiment, via local communication link 120. In one embodiment, headset 110 is paired with mobile device. In one embodiment, local communication link 120 is a Personal Area Network (PAN) link. In one embodiment, the link is a Bluetooth link. Mobile device 130 can connect to a network 150 through cellular communication link 140, wireless frequency (WiFi) link, such as a link through an 802.11 (a)-(g) compliant modem. In one embodiment, headset 110 may include links to communicate directly with the cellular network and/or the wireless network. In one embodiment, the headset 110 and mobile device 130 may share processing, to maximize battery life and provide the most seamless experience possible to the user.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of one embodiment of a dual processor implementation of the headset. Low power processor 210 has as its inputs the buttons, the accelerometer, and in one embodiment a speech sensor, and other sensors included in the device. In one embodiment, some sensors which utilize extensive processing may be coupled to, or part of, the high power processor 250. In one embodiment, low power processor 210 may be a Texas Instruments® MSP430 microcontroller which is an ultra-low-power 16-bit RISC mixed-signal processor. The low power processor (LPP) also can turn on and off a high power processor (HPP) 250.

The high power processor HPP in one embodiment may be a CSR® BlueCore™ 5 integrated circuit which provides a programmable single-chip Bluetooth solution with on-chip DSP, stereo CODEC, and Flash memory. In another embodiment, the high power processor HPP may be a different type of processor, providing different functionality.

In one embodiment, the LPP 210 receives data from various sensors, which may include accelerometer 220 and other sensors (not shown). In one embodiment, accelerometer 220 is the BOSCH Sensortec® BMA150. The LPP 210 also sends and receives signals from and to user input device (button 240) and user output device (LED 245). These are merely exemplary user interfaces, of course, alternative interfaces may be utilized. For example, instead of or in addition to a button, the device may have a dial, a set of buttons, capacitance touch sensitive pads, a touch screen, or another type of user interface. Instead of or in addition to light emitting diodes (LEDs) 245, the device may have a screen, or any other visual data display mechanism. In one embodiment, HPP 250 maintains a Bluetooth connection, when it is awake, and receives any call signals from a telephone that is coupled to the headset 200.

The LPP 210 determines, using headset logic engine, whether the HPP 250 should be woken up. If so, the LPP 210 sends a Power On signal to the HPP 250. Similarly, when the device is quiescent, and the HPP 250 is not needed, the LPP 210 sends a Power Off signal, in one embodiment. In one embodiment, the HPP may automatically go to sleep if no use has been detected in a preset period of time, e.g. 5 seconds. In one embodiment, the HPP maintains a Bluetooth connection with the handset, if available.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the context-based system. The context based system, in one embodiment, is implemented on low power processor (LPP). In one embodiment, the context based system is implemented across an LPP and a high power processor (HPP). The processes are split based on the specific processing requirements. However, in one embodiment, in a headset the high power processor is only used to handle maintaining a Bluetooth connection, and phone calls which require voice processing.

The motion context logic 310 receives sensor data. In one embodiment, the sensor data is motion data. In one embodiment, other sensor data may also be received. In one embodiment, other sensor data may include data such as barometer data, GPS data, temperature data, or any other data which may be used by the headset. In one embodiment, the data is collected by buffer 305. In one embodiment, some of the sensor data may be unrelated to the motion logic context, and may be simply collected by the context based system. In that case, in one embodiment, the data may simply be stored, in store 307. In one embodiment, store 307 may be Flash memory, or similar non-volatile storage. Store 307, in one embodiment, may also store processed data from sensors.

Motion context logic 310 uses the sensor data to determine the user's motion context. The motion context of the user may include determining whether the user is wearing the headset, whether the user is sitting, standing, laying down, moving in various ways. In one embodiment, the location context of the user may be part of the motion context. That is, in one embodiment the motion context of “walking on the street” may be different from the motion context of “walking around a track.”

Context based action logic 320 receives the motion context information from motion context logic 310. Context based action logic 320 in one embodiment is implemented in the logic engine of the low power processor 210.

Gesture command logic 325 identifies motion commands. In one embodiment, commands may be defined by gestures, e.g. the user tapping the headset once, twice, three times, or in a certain pattern. For example, two rapid taps followed by a slower tap. Commands may also be defined by shakes, or other recognizable movements. In one embodiment, the commands available via a gesture command logic interface replace the commands entered via button pushes in the prior art. Since it is significantly easier to tap the side of a headset while wearing it—instead of attempting to successfully push a small button that one cannot see—this improves the user experience. Also it allows for a waterproof, or water resistant and sweat-proof button-free device. Gesture commands, in one embodiment, may be defined out of the box. In one embodiment, the user may further add, edit, and delete gesture commands to configure the device to suit their preferences. In one embodiment, gesture commands depend on the motion context. For example, a double tap when the user is running may initiate a run/training sequence. The same double tap when there is an incoming call may pick up the call.

In one embodiment, a user may define custom gesture commands. In one embodiment, the user interface may permit the use of verbal instructions, in programming the device. Verbal instructions may also be used in conjunction with, or to replace gesture commands. The gesture command logic 325 passes identified gesture commands to power management 335. Power management 335 determines whether to turn on-off the high power processor (not shown).

For certain commands, the high power processor is used to execute related actions. In that case, power management 335 ensures that the high power processor is active. Process sharing system 370 passes data and requests to the high power processor, and receives returned processed data, when appropriate.

Context based action logic 320 may further include sound adjust logic 340. Sound adjust logic 340 adjusts the sound input and output parameters, when appropriate. The sound output may be a receiving telephone connection, music played on the device, beeps, feedback noises, or any other sounds produced by the device. Depending on the user's context, the sounds may be too loud or two soft—the user may need a louder ring for example when he or she is jogging than in an office, the speaker volume may need to be louder when the user is driving in the car, the microphone may need to pick up softer tones and reduce echo in a quiet office. The system adjusts the sounds based on the determined motion context. In one embodiment, the method disclosed in co-pending application Ser. No. 12/469,633, entitled A “Method And Apparatus For Adjusting Headset/Handset Audio For A User Environment” filed May 20, 2009, which is herein incorporated by reference, may be utilized in connection with sound adjust logic 340.

Call management system 345 detects when a call is received. In one embodiment, the handset receives the call, and transmits a “ring” message to the headphone. If the high power processor is asleep, power management 335 handles it, and ensures that the call is transmitted. The gesture command logic 325 receives the command to pick up the call, if given by the user.

In one embodiment, sensor management 365 manages the power consumption of various sensors. In one embodiment, sensors are turned off when the headset is not in use, to increase battery life. For example, when the headset is not moving, it is not necessary to obtain GPS data more than once. Similarly, when the motion data indicates that the headset has not moved, or has moved minimally, barometer data and temperature data is unlikely to have changed. Therefore, those sensors can be turned off.

In one embodiment, one of the functions provided by the system is to turn the headset functionality to a minimum when the headset is not being worn. For example, users will often take off their Bluetooth headset, not turn it off, and leave it on the desk for most of the day. During this time, the high power power processor may be completely off, along with almost all sensors, while the low power processor is on stand-by and periodically monitors the motion sensor. In one embodiment, the LPP goes to sleep, and periodically wakes up just enough to sample the accelerometer and analyze the accelerometer data. In one embodiment, the monitoring period is every second. In another embodiment, it may be more or less frequent. In one embodiment, the monitoring period gradually increases, from when lack of motion is initially detected, to a maximum delay. In one embodiment, the maximum delay may be 1 second.

If the data indicates no motion, the LPP goes back to sleep. If the sample indicates that there is motion, the LPP wakes up, continues monitoring the accelerometer. In one embodiment, the LPP further determines whether the HPP should be woken up too. In one embodiment, the LPP automatically wakes up the HPP when it detects that the user has placed the headset in the “wearing” position, e.g. in the ear/head/etc. In one embodiment, the physical configuration of the headset is such that the position in which it is worn can be distinguished from any resting position. In one embodiment, the motion characteristics of placing the headset in the worn location are detected. This is because the user may be picking up the phone in order to take a call. The HPP establishes a Bluetooth connection to the phone, and determines whether there is a call in progress. If not, the HPP, in one embodiment, goes back to sleep.

By waking up the HPP when the headset is placed on the ear, the user perceives no delay in the ability to pick up the call on the headset. In another embodiment, the LPP waits until a gesture command is received before activating the HPP. In one embodiment, the user may set, via options, which happens.

When the user picks up the headset to pick up the phone, the low power sensor is powered up when it detects motion via the accelerometer sensor. Then, in one embodiment, the HPP is automatically woken, to determine whether there is a phone call/ring in progress. In another embodiment, the LPP monitors for the “pick-up phone command” and wakes up the HPP when that command is detected. The LPP, in one embodiment wakes up any other relevant sensors. In this way, the battery life of a headset can be significantly extended.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of one embodiment of determining motion context. The process starts at block 405. At block 410, the headset is powered up. In one embodiment, the process is initiated when the headset is powered. In another embodiment, the process is initiated when the headset is paired with a phone and/or powered up.

At block 420, the system starts receiving accelerometer data. The accelerometer, in one embodiment, is located in the headset. In one embodiment the accelerometer data is buffered. At block 430, the process determines whether there are any other accelerometers which may be providing data to be processed. In one embodiment, there may be more than one accelerometer in the headset. In one embodiment, there may be a separate accelerometer in the handset, or in another external sensor location. In one embodiment, data from these additional accelerometers is received, and integrated 435 to get a better idea of the current motion data of the user.

At block 440, the process determines whether there are any other sensors. In one embodiment, the headset or paired handset may include additional sensors such as a barometric sensor, a thermometer, a proximity sensor, a capacitance (touch) sensor, and/or other sensors that may assist in determining the user's motion state. If there are additional sensors, the data from the additional sensors is integrated into the motion state data at block 445.

At block 450, the process determines whether location data is available. If so, at block 455 the user's location context is calculated. At block 460, the user's motion context is determined based on all available data. In one embodiment, the user's motion context includes the user's position (e.g. walking, running, standing, sitting, laying down), as well as the user's proximate location (e.g. at the office, on the street, in a car, etc.).

Thus, the final “motion context” may include location context. This enables the system to differentiate between “the user is walking down a busy street” and “the user is walking in a hallway in his office.”

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of one embodiment of utilizing motion context based commands. The process starts at block 505. At block 510, a command is identified. The command may have been communicated via motion (e.g. tapping on the headset, shaking the headset up and down, etc.). Alternatively, the command may be indicated through the push of a button, or by verbally giving a command. The process continues to block 520.

At block 520, the process determines whether the command has motion context. If so, at block 530, the process obtains the motion context.

At block 540, the process determines whether the command has an action context. Certain commands mean different things based on other actions within the headset. For example, the same tap may indicate “pick up the phone” if the phone is ringing, and “hang up the phone” if a call has just been terminated. Thus, if appropriate the action context is determined, at block 550.

At block 560, the correct version actions associated with the received command is executed. The process then ends.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of one embodiment of adjusting settings based on motion context. The process starts at block 605. In one embodiment, this process is active whenever the headset is active.

At block 610, the process determines whether there has been a motion context change. If so, at block 630, the process determines whether any active applications are context dependent. If there are no context-dependent applications, the process returns to block 610 to continue monitoring. When there is an active application which relies on context, the process continues to block 640.

If there has been no context change, the process continues to block 620. At block 620, the process determines whether there has been a context-based function initiated. If not, the process returns to block 610, to continue monitoring for motion context changes. If a context based function has been initiated, the process continues directly to block 640.

At block 640, the new motion context is obtained. Note that the motion context describes the user's/device's current state.

At block 650, the application-relevant settings are obtained. The application relevant settings indicate which features are used by the application, and suggested changes to those settings based on the current motion context. For example, if the application in question is a music player, the volume, bass level, treble level may be the settings which are indicated.

At block 660, the process determines whether the change in context indicates that one or more of those settings need adjusting. If not, the process returns to block 610, to continue monitoring. For example, when a user moves from sitting to standing in the same location, it is likely that no adjustment to the volume of music playing is needed. However, if the user moves from walking to jogging, louder sound is likely needed to be heard. Similarly, in one embodiment, command recognition is tightened or loosened based on the user's motion state. For example, when a user is jogging, a lot of motions appear to be like a gesture command. Thus, a more narrow definition of the gesture command may be used to ensure that what is indicated is the gesture command, rather than mere jostling motions from jogging. For example, in one embodiment, the jogging-related motion is subtracted from the motion data to determine whether a command was received.

If adjustment is needed, at block 670 the appropriate settings are altered. The process then returns to block 610. In this way, the settings are automatically adjusted based on user and application context, as the user moves through his or her day. This means that the user need not fiddle with the headset when he or she gets into a car, or walks into a loud restaurant. This type of automatic adjustment is very convenient.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of one embodiment of how power management is handled. The process starts at block 705. At block 710, the headset is turned on.

At block 715, sensor data is monitored and integrated to get a user motion context. As noted above, this reflects the user standing, sitting, walking, jogging, etc. It may further include motion location context, e.g. “standing in the office” or “walking into a loud restaurant” or “driving/riding in a car.”

At block 720, the process determines whether the headset is not in use. In one embodiment, this may be indicated when the headset has been immobile for a preset period. In general, whenever a human is wearing an object, that human makes small motions. Even someone holding “perfect still” makes micro motions which would be detectable by an accelerometer or other motion sensing device. In one embodiment, the industrial design of the headset ensures that it is worn in an orientation unlikely to be replicated when headset is just sitting on a surface, and the orientation is used to determine whether the headset is not in use. Therefore, if a device is not in use for a period of time, it indicates that the device has been placed somewhere, and is no longer being worn. If that is the case, the process continues to block 725. At block 725, the high power processor is placed in deep sleep mode.

At block 730, the low power processor is placed in a power saving mode as well. In power saving mode, the motion sensor is monitored, to detect if the user picks up the headset. But, in one embodiment, no other sensors are monitored. In one embodiment, all other sensors which can be controlled by the headset are also placed in low power consumption mode, or turned off. Clearly when the headset is not moving, continuously monitoring the GPS signal is not useful. In one embodiment, the sensors remain on, but the sampling rate is lowered significantly. In one embodiment, the low power processor may monitor something other than motion data, e.g. gyroscope data, weight data, etc.

Once the devices are in power save mode, the process monitors to see if motion is detected. As noted above, this may be done via an accelerometer within the device itself, or coupled to the device. In one embodiment, the monitoring frequency decreases over time. In one embodiment, the monitoring frequency may decrease gradually from the standard accelerometer sampling rate to a stand-by rate.

If motion is detected, at block 740 the low power processor is used to detect the motion context. The motion context generally would indicate why the headset had been moved, e.g. to pick up a call on the headset, etc. The process then continues to block 745.

At block 745, the process determines whether any of the identified applications, states, or received commands use additional processing power to be provided by the high power processor. In one embodiment, if the headset is picked up and placed in the configuration to be worn, the system determines whether there is an incoming phone call. In one embodiment, this uses the Bluetooth connection, and therefore high power processor is woken up. If so, at block 760 the high power processor is woken up. The process monitors until the actions are completed. At which point the process returns to block 715 to continue monitoring motions.

If at block 745, the high power processor was found to be unnecessary, at block 759 the LPP is used to perform the relevant operations. The process then returns to block 715 to continue monitoring.

In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. 

1. A motion aware device comprising: a motion context logic to determine a motion context of the device; a context-based action logic to manage the device based on the motion context.
 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a gesture command logic to identify a motion command and to determine an appropriate action, the appropriate action defined by the motion context and application context of the headset.
 3. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a sound adjust logic to adjust an input and/or an output sound level based on the motion context of the device.
 4. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a power management system to place portions of the device into a suspended state, when the device is not being actively used, the state of not being actively used determined based on the motion context.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the portion of the headset placed into the suspended state comprises a processor.
 6. The device of claim 4, further comprising, the power management system placing at least one sensor coupled to the headset into a power saving mode.
 7. The device of claim 4, wherein when the device is immobile for a period, the suspended state includes having only the motion data monitored to detect removal from inactive status.
 8. A motion-state aware device comprising: a low power processor (LPP) to monitor a motion sensor, the LPP including: a motion context logic to determine a motion context of the device; a context-based action logic to manage the device based on the motion context.
 9. The device of claim 8, further comprising: a high power processor to provide processing capability, the high power processor turned on and off by the LPP based on the motion context. 